Patent · US Expired

Ball bearing rail assembly

US6918700B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
13References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 12, 2003
Grant dateJul 19, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 16, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16C29/04
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A ball bearing rail assembly includes a first slide member (100), a second slide member (200), and a plurality of ball bearings (300) movably retained in the first slide member. The first slide member includes a plurality of spoon-like tabs (12), each tab forming a recessed portion (120) at a free end thereof. A plurality of slots (14) is defined in the first slide member, each slot having a generally oval end portion (140). The recessed portions of the tabs fittingly and resiliently press the ball bearings against the first slide member at the oval portions of the slots respectively. Each ball bearing is partially exposed out of the first slide member at a corresponding oval portion of the slot. The second slide member is slidably engaged with the exposed portions of the ball bearings. Thus the first slide member can be reliably moved relative to the second slide member.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.